“Is anybody dead?” she asked quietly, worried that she was responsible for someone’s death.

“None of our guys. A few are injured. But there were casualties on the other side, and we took some prisoners.” He cleared his throat. “We didn’t see your father …”

Portia squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, pushing back the threatening tears. “He burned to death.”

“I’m sorry.”

Her throat constricted. Was she sorry? Truly, she didn’t know. She felt numb. He had saved her after all. Maybe one day she would find it in her heart to forgive him. But right now, the pain was too fresh.

An approaching siren pulled her from her trance.

“Fire engines. We’ve got to leave.” Samson raised his voice. “Into the vans, everybody, now!”

Vampires rushed to the waiting blackout vans that were parked at the curb. With a last look at the burning house that contained her father’s ashes, Portia turned and ran out to the sidewalk, flanked by Samson and Zane.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

They spent the entire day at the safe house in Seattle, tending to their wounds, guarding the prisoners, and making arrangements for transferring them to the council, the high court of vampires that punished infractions within their society.

The house Müller had used as his headquarters had burned to the ground, despite the swift arrival of the fire engines. Any knowledge of the vampires’ existence had been successfully contained, and according to Samson’s local sources, the fire department suspected arson but had no leads. No bodies had been found in the debris, confirming that only vampires had perished, their bodies dissolving into ash without leaving any DNA.

Zane hadn’t had any private time with Portia, the house being too crowded and people like Samson making sure that both he and Portia recovered from the ordeal, at least physically.

Thomas’ injuries were healing under Eddie’s and Oliver’s care.

When Samson finally gave the all-okay for everybody to return to San Francisco, Zane was relieved. He needed to be alone with Portia to talk about their future and didn’t want an audience for that conversation.

He squeezed Portia’s hand as they walked down the gangway from the plane.

“Zane,” Samson called after him.

He turned, not at all eager for a drawn-out goodbye when all he wanted was to get Portia home, into his arms and his bed.

“Yes?”

“Forgot to mention Isabella’s naming ceremony is next Saturday. As her godfather, we expect you there after sunset.”

He nodded. During that event, he would officially be recognized as her godfather, her mentor for life, and he would choose a middle name for her. “It’ll be an honor.”

“Oh, and another thing: I arranged for your dog to stay at Yvette’s tonight. I figured you wanted to be alone.”

Zane was stunned by his boss’ foresight and almost choked up. Shit, he was turning into such an emotional freak!

He glanced at Portia by his side and saw that she too was eager to be alone with him. There were still things they hadn’t talked about. “Yes, we have much to discuss.”

Quickening his step, he headed home, never letting go of Portia’s hand.

When the entrance door fell shut behind him, his eyes searched hers. For the first time in his life, he didn’t know where to start. They had barely had a chance to talk since the fire had killed her father, and except for the few words he’d said after they’d jumped from the window, he’d not mentioned her father’s death. But it was an issue they had to resolve.

“I know,” she whispered.

Could Portia really read him so well? “Know what?”

“That this is hard for you. I am his daughter. Nothing will ever change that. When you look at me, you must think of him, of the things he did to you and your family. I don’t know how I can ever make that go away.”

He silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. “You have nothing to prove to me. I know who you are.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “I feel it in here. You’re nothing like him. When I look at you, I only see you. But I hurt you. The things I said to you, the way I threatened you …”

Zane closed his eyes, wishing he could undo it all.

“How can you even trust me after how I treated you?”

“You were willing to give your life in exchange for mine.” She sucked in a quick breath. “I would have never accepted it, of course, but to know that you were willing to do that … it showed me what’s in your heart.”